The Impact of Outside Stimulus on Performance in Mid Distance Athletes

Abstract

Running performance is affected by multiple factors working together to produce a successful athlete. This study will examine the physiological and performance responses to varying stimuli among division III collegiate middle distance runners. Performance during this test will be partially impacted by how subjects enable themselves to keep going throughout the trials. Participants include no more than twenty males and females from the University of Lynchburg’s track team. Two eight-minute-long trials will be performed in a randomized order on a treadmill, including one with uptempo music and regular verbal encouragement and one with silence. Pre-test questions will assess participant’s headspace. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion will be collected throughout both trials. Participants will be blinded to the treadmill display, such that they can only see time elapsed but not speed, distance traveled, or heart rate. The treadmill’s speed is controlled freely by the participant with an incline of 0.5% held constant. Participants are instructed to run as far as they are able within the eight minute period. This study’s data collection is ongoing and will be analyzed upon completion. This research is imperative to help understand how external factors can impact the athletes’ performances